TABLE FOR ONE: ESCA

The NYC Foodie, Foodie Magician, has been going on an Italian tear as of late. I've been checking in at many people's favorite Italian joints in New York City. Last week I finally made it to the popular and well-liked Esca, from Chef David Pasternack, Mario Batali, and Joe Bastianich. These guys know their food, and my experience at Esca was not a let down. I can see why it gets all the raves. It's a great spot. 

Order their great crudo. I had a tasting of six for $30, fresh and flavorful as can be. A pasta with mussels, clams, and sausage, was spot on delicious. And a salad of roasted corn, chanterelle, toasted walnuts and aged goat cheese was mind-blowing. End with the Affogato Di Caffe, madagascar vanilla gelati and cocoa nib croquante with espresso soda. It's refreshing, splendid, and delightful, just like Esca.

Esca
402 W. 43rd St. (and 9th Ave_
New York, NY 10036
212-564-7272
www.esca-nyc.com

TABLE FOR ONE: BELL, BOOK, AND CANDLE

A garden grows in the West Village...On the roof of a six floor walk-up. The garden is the only one like it in the country, an aeroponic oasis of vegetables. The vegetables grown on this rooftop are sourced for dishes of the great restaurant down below. 

Bell, Book, and Candle, is a cool West Village joint, whose food evolves "around local, organic, sustainable, and overall responsible procurement." 

You may start with the lobster tacos ($9), with tomatillo and avocado salsa. A delightful starter, with a splendid tang from that salsa.

Or maybe the crispy fried oysters ($9), with green chile buttermilk dressing, will tickle your taste buds. My buds were surely happy.

The Drunken bean dip ($8), with Cypress goat cheese and marinated tomatoes, is definitely a fine dip. Perfect to accompany a cocktail at the bar. I think it would benefit from a little kick though, some jalapeño perhaps.

To my surprise, my favorite dish of the night, a truly memorable dish, was a salad. A wedge salad with an amazing buttermilk ranch dressing, and small bits of bacon. The lettuce and tomatoes, coming from the roof, were obviously fresh as can be. The dressing was delicious. This salad blew my mind.

The "Gin and Tonic" wild salmon ($28), served with carmelized cauliflower, and a lime emulsion, is a lovely, perfectly cooked piece of fish.

There is plenty to love at Bell, Book, and Candle. Veggies this fresh can't be bad, in fact, they are great. So take a trip to West 10th Street, in the West Village of New York City, sit back, grab a drink, (no need to walk up 6 flights,) just relax, and let the garden come to you. It'll be a magical experience.

Bell, Book, and Candle
141 West 10th St. (bet. 6th and 7th)
New York, NY 10014
212-414-2355

www.bbandcnyc.com

TABLE FOR ONE: ELEVEN MADISON PARK

Eleven Madison Park is a four-star restaurant. It was just named the "Most Outstanding Restaurant in America" by the James Beard Awards this year. I stopped by last week to check it out for myself. 

The space is gorgeous. Huge two-story windows let you look out onto Madison Square Park. The room is spacious, sprawling, and beautiful. The service is top notch. The waiters work the room as if they are in the ballet, sweeping and sashaying by to fill your cup with water or give you homemade bread. The food is exquisite. Chef Daniel Humm knows what he is doing. This is four-star dining. 

The five (that's right five) amuse-bouche I had were outstanding. First was a chilled pea soup with buttermilk snow and a ham crisp. Refreshing, a perfect starter to awaken my senses. 

Next was the fluke and scallop. The fluke, with basil and meyer lemon, rested on a rice cracker. The scallop, ceviche-style, accompanied by tangerine. Two fabulous bites, just as refreshing as the previous one.

A beet lollipop served with goat cheese croquettes, and served with a watercress and chive sauce, was playful, ingenious and amazing.

My favorite dish of the night came next. I'll never forget this dish til the day I die. It was a sea urchin cappuccino with king crab and apple. After one sip I moaned with ecstasy, and started to tear with joy. If you have the opportunity to consume this cup of love, do it!

I was also served a great amuse of smoked sturgeon sabayon with chive, and caviar on a fingerling potato with créme fraiche. (It was great, but I was still fantasizing about that sea urchin cappuccino, I forgot to snap a photo)

My first course, that I ordered was foie gras. It was served two ways for me. A terrine with rhubarb and pickled ramps, was fabulous. Also, served as a sabayon with bread was great too. I loved the use of rhubarb with the dish, it was the sweetest rhubarb I'd ever encountered, it almost tasted like strawberry. 

My next course of lobster was served poached with carrots and vadouvan granola. It was a beautiful dish, and I loved the unique pairing of granola with the dish, to give it an earthy crunch.

Next came variations of pork served with cherries, onions, and guanciale. All the variations were perfectly executed, and it was a great dish to showcase the beauty of pork.

Before my dessert course, the sommelier came to my table and made an egg cream for me table side. This wasn't any ole egg cream though, this was the best egg cream you'll ever have in your life. Made with malt, vanilla, and olive oil, it was beyond mind-blowing!

My chocolate dessert came in the form of a tart with salted caramel and chocolate sorbet. It was stunningly fantastic!

The meal did not end there though, for after I completed the dessert I was taken into the kitchen, to a table, where I witnessed 35 chefs cooking away, and one came in front of me and created some sort of Aperol spritzer dessert for me. It was VIP all the way. The upside of dining alone. I felt like a king (a drunk king- the fabulous wine pairing had gotten me a tad buzzed, to say the least.)

The mignardises (a type of petit four) at the end of the meal were fabulous as well. Also, Elever Madison Park sends you home with a jar of homemade granola, which is truly awesome.

Is Eleven Madison Park outstanding? Yes. This is four-star dining at its best. If you are looking for an upscale experience, then this is the place to do it. All the food is perfectly and exquisitely executed, and the service is top notch. Go ahead and check it out, sometimes you just need to treat yourself.

Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10010
212-889-0905

www.elevenmadisonpark.com

TABLE FOR ONE: SUENOS

Not only does Chelsea have pretty boys, but it has a great Mexican restaurant as well. I stopped into Sueños two weeks ago, Chef Sue Torres' Mexican oasis hidden on West 17th street, and will tell you I really like this place. I had been wanting to go to Sueños for some time now, and dreams come true. Sueños, which means "dreams" in Spanish, is a unique and pleasant restaurant. You enter through a receded entrance through a passageway, and find a space with three different colorful spaces. The deep blue bar up front, a beautiful peach courtyard, and a magenta dining room. Within the center of the restaurant sits a glass-enclosed oasis featuring a tranquil fountain flowing into a small pond surrounded by river rocks, trees and foliage. The palette of colors is to be reminiscent of a Frida Kahlo painting, I think the Spanish director Pedro Almodovar would love this place too. Of course paired with this beautiful setting, is great Mexican fare.

A complimentary plate of warm corn bread with black bean dip is a fabulous way to wet your appetite.

Shredded beef mini tacos ($12), with queso fresco and pico de gallo were truly delicious. There was a lovely sweetness to the beef, and it was a perfect starter.

Plantain roasted local cod ($24), with salsa verde cruda and grilled chayote, is a dish Chef Torres created on the Food Network show Iron Chef America. This is a dish that grew on me with each bite, and became more complex and wonderful as I had all the ingredients combined on my fork. I loved the addition of Chayote, a vegetable I had never eaten before, but was expertly grilled and utilized in this dish.

So for great Mexican in Chelsea, stop by Sueños. Life is but a dream.

Sueños
311 West 17th Street (bet. 8th and 9th)
New York, NY 10011 
212-243-1333
www.suenosnyc.com

TABLE FOR ONE: BLUE HILL

I stopped by Blue Hill last weekend and was blown away. I had heard amazing things about this place, as well as their sister restaurant Blue Hill at Stone Barns, where Chef Dan Barber is utilizing the freshest of his local ingredients. 

I took a seat at the small square bar up front, where it was almost like "Cheers", where everybody knew everyone's name. The bar was filled with regulars, it's a true neighbood spot. Except, I can't recommend the restaurant for only those who live in Greenwich Village, I recommend Blue Hill for anyone who lives in America.

When I dine at a restaurant with the caliber of Blue Hill, I want them to show me what they are made of. I told the waitress to have the chefs send out whatever they wanted. Blow my mind. And that they did.

Three amuses to start the night off, a mini asparagus burger, a piece of salami, and a duck heart, set the mood for the evening. Fresh and great bites, nothing crazy, but oh, so perfect.

A beetfurter, an appetizer of beets, that was like a "frankfurter" but made with beets, was ingenious, and awesome.

The bread basket needs to be talked about at Blue Hill as well, not so much the bread, but the condiments that accompany it. They are all mind-blowing. (There was some ricotta, some green salt, something orange, and some fab butter. Unfortunately, I can't tell you exactly what this stuff was because when I just called the restaurant to ask them politely, the gal on the phone said I need to go through their press gal, which is so beyond ridiculous, that I almost threw up..She couldn't just tell me what the condiments were? If I didn't say I was writing about it for my website, then she would have. Luckily Blue Hill is an amazing and special place, so anywhoosies..)

A plate of asparagus with an egg underneath was fabulous. The asparagus obviously picked fresh that day from their farm, was delicious, and perfectly seasoned.

A dish of the morning's farm duck egg with spring onions, ramps, leeks and 'bio char' vegetables, was heavenly and exquisite.

The Stone Barns Berkshire Pig, with swiss chard, ramps, bacon and shiitake mushrooms was absolute perfection. A pig dream true. The meat perfectly cooked, with great flavor, this little piggy had me smiling all the way home.

Dessert at Blue Hill is a treat for the senses as well. A carrot/orange sorbet served over ice, a red wine and rhubarb soup with lemon sorbet, and creamed wheat with granola and passion fruit sorbet, were all lovely and truly awesome! What a terrific ending to a tasting at one of America's top restaurants.

Also, don't leave without consuming Blue Hill's petit fours, like the rest of the meal, they are perfectly executed deliciousness!

So for a taste of one of NYC's best restaurants, Blue Hill is the spot. Local, farm fresh ingredients, at its best. 

Blue Hill
75 Washington Place (bet. 6th ave and Macdougal)
New York, NY 10011
212-539-1776

www.bluehillfarm.com

TABLE FOR ONE: THE DUTCH

I stopped into the brand spanking new The Dutch this past week, the new American restaurant from the team behind Locanda Verde (Chef Andrew Carmellini, Josh Picard, and Luke Olstrom). The space is large, a modern tavern, with plenty of room for dining on Andrew Carmellini's wonderful American fare. Carmellini and his team struck foodie gold with Locanda Verde, and have yet another winner here with The Dutch. There has been a lot of press on this place as of late, everywhere I looked, it was The Dutch this, The Dutch that, and I'm never a fan of too much hype and press over a place that had yet to be opened. Fortunately though, after my experience Wednesday night, The Dutch lived up to all the hype. It's a great restaurant. Period.

I got to the place at 1am. They serve a late night menu til 2am, which is awesome because I love late night dining. I started with the little oyster sandwich ($4). After one bite, I was in love. It's a fantastic sandwich. A little sesame seed bun, with a beautifully cooked fried oyster, complemented with a great sauce. Order at least one.

Smoked lamb links ($15), with local yogurt and red quinoa, was quite excellent too. America is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines, this dish had touch of Greece. I loved the smokiness of the meat, and it was a playful dish, that made my taste buds happy.

After Greece, I took a side trip to Mexico, with the Barrio tripe ($14), beer and avocado. I tend to order tripe when I see it on a menu, and this tripe dish was beyond great. It's an amazing dish. The tripe is soft and tender, and the sauce it's in is divine. The dish reminded me of a tortilla soup-the best tortilla soup I've ever had.

Nothing says America like apple pie, so I of course ended with a slice. It was great, and the perfect ending, to a wonderful, late night, truly American meal.

Sometimes you just got to believe the hype. The Dutch is a great restaurant. I think it's an instant classic, and I will be a regular here for years to come. You should check it out too. I'll go with you if you want; we'll go Dutch.

The Dutch
131 Sullivan St. (and Prince)
New York, NY 10012
212-677-6200

www.thedutchnyc.com

TABLE FOR ONE: TEQA

Does really good Mexican cuisine exist in Murray Hill? Yes. Chef Lisa Schoen, who used to be Derek Jeter's personal chef, is now serving great Mexican bites to the hoards of Murray Hill diners, and beyond. I had a a quick little tasting last week, and felt like an MVP.

Quesadillas with shredded chicken breast, black beans, 3-cheese, and a specail Teqa sauce, were delicious! 

Pulled pork tacos, with roasted pineapple salsa, Romesco, and jalapeño were terrific. I loved the play on sweetness and spiciness on these little guys.

The Old School Tacos, hard taco, ground beef, 3-cheese, pico de gallo, and sour cream, were fabulous. The beef was juicy and had great flavor. These tacos made me smile.

So grab a margarita or three, and dine on some perfect Mexican cuisine at Teqa, Murray Hill's new Mexican oasis. Trust me, you'll feel like an MVP too.

Teqa
443 3rd Ave (bet. 31st and 30th)
New York, NY 10016
212-213-3223

www.teqanyc.com

TABLE FOR ONE: TENPENNY

A hidden treasure lies in the back of the Gotham Hotel on 46th street between 5th and Madison. That treasure is the new American restaurant (with Italian flare) Tenpenny. I stopped in for a bite last week, and it was great. The room isn't too big, but it's perfect for a date, dining alone, or anyone craving a great bite. Basically this restaurant is a downtown neighborhood restaurant in Midtown, and I highly recommend it!

Start with the complimentary pretzel roll then order a snack of pork belly croquettes ($6), with potato flake and hard cider sauce. It's a fabulous snack and terrific bite. I loved these guys!

A "snack" of crispy artichokes ($6), with lemon aioli will tickle your taste buds and make you smile.

Porchetta ravioli ($22), with Salvatore smoked ricotta, rapini, and a poached egg is absolutely fantastic! It's the type of pasta dish I fantasize about- dreams come true at Tenpenny.

If you end your meal with the chocolate cake that comes with malt gelato and honeycombs, you'll keep smiling like I did. It's a great ending to a great meal.

Luckily for me Tenpenny is right down the block from my apartment, making it the perfect neighborhood spot. But whatever neighborhood you live in, I recommend a stop into this little treasure.

Tenpenny
16 East 46th Street (in the Gotham Hotel-bet. 5th and Madison)
New York, NY 10017
212-490-8300
www.tenpennynyc.com

TABLE FOR ONE: RESPITE

I dropped by Respite Friday to meet friends, and ended up with some unique and flavorful bites at this "cocktail lounge with worldly flavors". The chef has worked with Thomas Keller, and it's a little gem of a place. 

Take a scallop ceviche with ginger papaya puree and macadamia nuts. The sweetness of the puree plays with the sweetness of the scallop, the macadamia give a nice crunch.

Ever eat a chilled oyster with basil caviar, mango sorbet, and a Sriracha mignonette? That's how they serve it at Respite. I like my oysters plain, but this unique take is surely refreshing.

Tasmanian Sea Trout comes served with Vidalia onion stuffed with French lentil mirepoix, and Rose champagne. Some more unique flavors, a sweet dish.

For dessert, coconut-masrcapone panna cotta with champagne poached Asian pears, persimmon, in a saffron-lemongrass broth, took my taste buds to a land they have not been to before. A flavor profile that was again, unique, both sweet and floral, each spoonful elevating my culinary horizon.

So grab a cocktail and your worldly flavors at Respite, and leave your troubles behind.

Respite
247 E. 50th Street (bet. 2nd and 3rd)
New York, NY 10022

212-755-2470

TABLE FOR ONE: PORSENA

Porsena, Sara Jenkins' (Porchetta) new Pasta restaurant is a great restaurant. I took myself on a date (like I do most nights) Valentine's Day to this casual spot in the East Village, and was beyond satisfied with each dish. In fact, I completely loved everything I ordered.

Crostini ($8) with Di Palo fresh mozzarella and bottarga di tonno was cheesy goodness, homey, and wonderful.

A special of oysters ($15) was surprisingly warm, but also surprisingly fantastic! I loved the use of bread crumbs on them, giving them a sweet crunch.

And then there is the pasta. Porsena is labeled a "pasta restaurant" so you would expect the pasta to be good. Well friends, I was not disappointed. The pasta is better than good, it is great, fabulous, and a true joy to eat. My pasta of anneloni ($16) with spicy lamb sausage and mustard greens had such delicious flavor and beautiful texture, it became quite the date. I didn't fall in love with a girl this past V-day, I fell in love with a pasta dish.

So stop by Porsena, a truly great spot in NYC. I hope you fall in love too. Love is all you need (and great food!).

Porsena
21 E. 7th St. (bet. 3rd and 2nd)
New York, NY 10003
212-228-4923

www.porsena.com